The Earth Gave Her Shape

at the top

surprised by fine sand

and tenacious shrub

her spirit touched the earth,

grounded for a moment

in brushstrokes guided by the wind

rendered visible by swirling air

and dust

defined by the negative space

which birthed her form

the power in the insubstantial

untouchable,

other than in her dreams

edges blended into the sky

as she stood looking out

fashioned not of bone

woman made from the dust became salt,

a pillar of tears desiccated

she has no fruit to offer the land

did the painter know what she was when she appeared?

her safety lay in undefinition and tattered garments

tenuous foothold on barren earth

erased with blowing wind

dust devil impressions

to be interpreted like tea leaves

*****

This was originally written to as an ekphrastic piece to in response to an artwork selected for Rattle's monthly Ekphrastic Challenge. I have no idea what it means, only that I wanted to define the image of the woman by describing the space surrounding her. In painting we call that negative space. Since not placing in the challenge, I've added to and subtracted from it. I'd be curious to hear if it means anything to you.

Thanks for reading, Natalie